Photo credit: Muhammad
With the Test and Trace Corps launched on June 1, and the number of positive cases, hospitalizations, and cases in the ICU in continuous decline, New York City is ready to have construction, manufacturing, wholesale suppliers, and non-essential retail including clothing and electronics stores reopen with some restrictions on June 8, 2020.
The Industries allowed to open in phase one now that all the 7 metrics set by the State are met, are:
1. Construction
Building Equipment Contractors
Building Finishing Contractors
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
Highway, Street and Bridge Construction
Land Subdivision
Nonresidential Building Construction
Residential Building Construction
Utility System Construction
2. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Other Animal Production
Other Crop Production
Support Activities for Animal Production
Support Activities for Crop Production
Support Activities for Forestry
3. Retail – (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
Clothing Stores
Direct Selling Establishments
Electronics and Appliance Stores
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses
Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores
Florists
General Merchandise Stores
Health and Personal Care Stores
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores
Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Stores
Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Shoe Stores
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument and Book Stores
Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers
4. Manufacturing
Apparel Manufacturing
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing
Machinery Manufacturing
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
Paper Manufacturing
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
Printing and Related Support Activities
Textile Mills
Textile Product Mills
Wood Product Manufacturing
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
5. Wholesale Trade
Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers
Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
Household Appliances and Electrical and Electronic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers
Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers
Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
SAFETY REGULATIONS
During phase one, the City estimates 200,000 to 400,000 employees may return to work. To ensure this is done safely and without causing a resurgence of this virus, all businesses must adhere to specific hygiene, distancing, and health protocols.
The City will be providing face coverings for free for all businesses that need them. The face coverings can be delivered to businesses or they can pick them up at sites around the city. The Department of Consumer Worker Protection, the Department of Small Business Services, and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services will be in charge of the distribution.
Basic rules for all sectors include:
Hygiene
– Ensure frequent cleaning and disinfecting of any shared surfaces
Health Screenings
– Implement mandatory health screenings for employees, such as questionnaires and temperature checks
Communication
– Create distance markers and post signage throughout the workplace reminding personnel to adhere to phase one guidance and rules
– Employers must conspicuously post completed business safety plans on site
Social Distancing
– Require six feet of distance between people unless safety or core function of the work activity requires less
– Tightly confined spaces must reduce occupancy to under 50% of maximum capacity with all employees wearing face coverings
– Limit occurrence of all in-person gatherings and meetings, and only hold them in large, well-ventilated areas with social distancing and a maximum of ten people
Personal Protective Equipment
– Provide employees with free clean face coverings and, if the nature of the work requires, stricter personal protective equipment like face shields
– Encourage the use of face coverings at all times and require them if employees cannot keep 6 feet of distance due to safety or core work function
EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The Department of Buildings, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and Small Business Services will educate and conduct outreach to businesses as they reopen for phase one. To support businesses and workers through this transition, the City will:
– Launch a business re-start hotline that will be available for any business that needs additional support or clarification about regulations or resources
– Release simplified industry guides to help educate businesses about proper protocols
– Train teams of City officials that will to go out to businesses and provide on the ground assistance
– Continue to meet with the Sector Advisory Councils to gather feedback on reopening progress and address industry wide concerns and issues
To ensure businesses are complying, enforcement agencies will conduct random visits to sites that are reopening. They will review reopening safety plans and provide guidance regarding best practices and applicable regulations. Summons or fines will be issued in the case of egregious or repeat violations. New Yorkers can call 311 to report a business that is violating the guidelines.
The City is expected has reached the threshold for phase one. Businesses outlined in phase one can start to reopen on June 8.
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